Affordable Ohio Health Insurance Plans

Get the cheapest short-term medical coverage available in Ohio. If you are not working, are a recent high school or college graduate that is no longer covered under a parent’s policy, unemployed, between jobs, a seasonal employee, currently uninsured, or just waiting for other coverage to begin, then a temporary policy might be your best option. Most plans have large doctor networks and easy online enrollment.

We guarantee that the quotes you view on our website are the lowest available rates allowed by each carrier. Most options will easily fit within your budget, because of the heavily-discounted premiums. The length of benefit you choose is also extremely flexible. Generally, you can choose a policy that lasts from 30-364 days, although some features are limited, and you can be denied because of your medical history.

Also, if you are employed part-time or temporarily laid off, on strike, or on Cobra, you may need this type of plan. ST health insurance is extremely cheap and is available from the top insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Medical Mutual, National General, Companion Life, and several smaller companies. Your rights under HIPAA may be impacted if you are changing jobs, although Marketplace plans would become available.

Humana No Longer Available

Humana, one of the nation's largest carriers, ceased offering temporary plans four years ago. Although they actively participate in offering many affordable Senior and Group policy options, their focus has shifted away from private single and family plans for persons under age 65. Their 6450 Dayton HMOx and 6450 Cincinnati/Northern KY HMOx contracts were two of the most affordable Marketplace plans offered in the Southwestern portion of the state.

Sample Ohio Short-Term Health Insurance Rates

Prices of temporary coverage are determined by your age, gender, zip code, health status, duration of policy, and covered benefits. Shown below are monthly rates for several individual and family scenarios in the Buckeye State. Plans are considered "non-Obamacare" policies and are not required to include all ACA Legislation requirements.

Temporary policies feature rates that are often just a fraction of the cost of a conventional policy. Typically, you'll save hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in premium savings. You must be under age 65 to qualify, and we custom-fit a policy that covers you for the time you need and keeps the premium low.

If you have reached age 65, you are likely eligible for Medicare benefits, which are much more comprehensive. A Medigap or "Advantage" plan can pay some of the out-of-pocket gaps that your Senior policy does not cover. However, unlike temporary plans, pre-existing conditions are covered, and policies can generally be renewed.

Did You Miss Open Enrollment?

If you missed Open Enrollment, often, short-term contracts are the most attractive choice to get you to the next OE period. You don't have to wait until the first of the month to get covered, and approvals are often received within one day. And if you secure new group coverage from an employer or other qualified benefits, you can terminate a temporary plan to coincide when your new policy begins. Typically, there is no cancellation penalty.

Important Point: If you qualify for a special enrollment exemption, you will be eligible for federal tax credits and guaranteed approval. Also, since pre-existing conditions are not excluded, when you have the option of securing a Marketplace policy, it must always be considered. If you will become Medicare-eligible within three months and have no existing conditions, a temporary plan is often very cost-effective.

The Open Enrollment period begins November 1 and ends December 15th. Senior Medicare OE begins October 15th and ends December 7. You can apply for guaranteed coverage outside of the OE periods if you are approved for a qualifying life event (QLE). After a 60-day period, your QLE exception may expire.

Effect Of Obamacare

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (passed in 2010), you can easily transition from ST coverage to a Marketplace plan. For example, after you buy a policy, if you have a heart attack or are diagnosed with cancer, keeping the policy until the end of the calendar year will make it easier to transition to a more conventional contract with no lapse in coverage.

Since pre-existing conditions are covered, you can apply for a new policy under "Open Enrollment" conditions, and your acceptance is guaranteed. You may also receive a financial subsidy to help to pay premiums depending on your household income. However, if the policy lapses, reinstatement may not be possible.

Short Term Policy Features

*Coverage is designed to be effective for a short period of time…usually between 1 and 12 months. Once the policy ends, you may be forced to re-qualify for additional coverage. If you have paid for benefits that you have not used, a refund will be processed on the unused portion. You are not obligated to keep a policy any length of time. If you remain in good health, it is possible to keep coverage with multiple companies for many years, providing a smooth transition.

* Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered. Also, coverage is usually “catastrophic” instead of “comprehensive.” However, some plans, such as the Medical Mutual policy, will provide limited office visit coverage. Prescription benefits are often included, subject to policy limitations. If you are willing to accept higher out-of-pocket expenses, the rate will reduce. NOTE: UnitedHealthcare offers multiple "tiers" of benefits, which allow us to custom-build a policy with or without primary care physician (pcp) or prescription drug coverage.

*Rates are typically low…as much as 30% - 60% less than a conventional policy. And because of its cheap cost, preventative coverage is usually not included, unless you meet the deductible. A wide variety of deductibles is usually available, ranging from $250-$10,000. $2,500 and $1,000 are the most popular deductible choices. However, since you are unlikely to meet your maximum out-of-pocket expense, $5,000 is the most cost-effective option.

*Most Ohio short term insurance plans allow you to pay monthly or pay all of your premiums in advance. When paying in advance, most companies discount the rate. A typical plan is usually approved within 24-48 hours. The standard application is brief and typically takes less than 20 minutes to complete. It can be completed through an online link we provide, or we can email or fax the short application.

Applying For Coverage

Short term coverage is not the right solution for everyone.But if you’re not presently insured, it is often an attractive low-cost option worth considering. Please don't hesitate to contact us for additional information. We'll be happy to review the top plans and discuss which option is best for your unique situation. In minutes, you can apply and complete an online application and get quickly covered.

Currently, National General, UHC, and Medical Mutual (major companies) offer the lowest rates for both single and family situations. Anthem temporary medical coverage is also available, although the underwriter is a different carrier. All three companies allow online applications that expedite the time needed to get approved. We'll be happy to discuss which company is best for you, and what method of applying is the best.

To view Ohio short term rates, simply click on the “Quote” link at the top of this page. Easily, you can compare and apply for the top policies. The comparison and enrollment process taks less than 20 minutes.